Bikepaths are an integral part of the bicycle transportation network,
and these reports are provided to encourage their use by bicyclists who
might otherwise not venture out in the snow, and to encourage their proper
maintenance (which includes snow plowing) by the responsible agencies
given in bold type below. Paths with significant foot traffic
become unskiable within a day, and remain a mess for everyone if they
are not plowed while the snow is still soft.

Another week, another 8 inches! I had to drive to a meeting during the
snowstorm on Friday and didn't get out on my bike until the single
digit temperatured morning of the following Monday. I got some reports
from Boston and Cambridge, and I'll check out as much of the rest as I can.

Perkins St. Bike Lanes1.5 miles of mostly bike/ped-separated paths paralleling
a busy 4-lane parkway; two intersections with traffic lightsDepartment of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Unchecked

Olmsted Park Paths3/4-mile of mostly bike/ped-separated paths built over Riverdale Road,
across Leverett Pond from the Jamaicaway.Brookline Park Department

David Merfeld reported on Monday that the:
Longfellow bridge is in better shape, but the cut-through is still
buried.
after Saturday morning's conditions:
Longfellow Bridge itself is in great shape, but the bike lanes are
buried, and the bike-only cut-through, heading from Cambridge to the
far-right side of the bridge, has not been plowed since last week's
storm.

Charles River BikepathsNarrow, shared bike-ped path with few intersectionsDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Aaron Charlwood reported on Friday morning at 11:00 am: Snowdrifts on
the Memorial Drive side are 8"-14" deep and it hasn't been plowed. There
are narrow paths of compacted snow from joggers and pedestrians. I rode
on it with studded tires, got about 200' into it and could not maintain
momentum. It's basically unrideable right now.New Balance has renewed a sponsorship agreement with the
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to ensure area runners,
joggers and walkers have clear and safe running paths along the Charles
River during the 2011 winter season. ...
New Balance, recognizing DCRs commitment to outdoor enthusiasts,
has pledged to provide funding to support snow removal efforts along the
17-plus mile Charles River path spanning from the Museum of Science area
in Cambridge to the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown. Following DCRs
normal priorities, the snow removal will be performed by DCR within 24
hours of the completion of a storm. Because the route runs in close
proximity to the river bank, there is limited salting and sanding that
can be performed, so the DCR and New Balance urge runners to continue to
use caution.

J.F.K. ParkWide, shared bike-ped path from river to Harvard SquareDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Plowed to bare pavement.

Allston bike lanesBostonBoston DPW

The North Harvard St. bike lanes have been covered since the post-Christmas
storm, except near Western Ave. "minimomo1" reports on the Western Ave.
bike lanes between Soldier Field Rd. and N. Harvard St. as of Saturday
(1/22): Both West and East side Bike lanes are plowed and clear ...
Some might have icey spots, but not a big problem. However, at the end of
Western Avenue near Soldiers Field Rd., the pedestrian island is not
plowed and has at least 4 to 5 feet of snow piled up and therefore, it
is hard to cross to the Boston side of the Charles River Bike Path.
Use caution when you cross over. You might have to carry your bike over
the snow.

David Merfeld reported on Monday that the :
Fresh Pond bike path is wider, but icy. Concord Ave. is the better
option.
Saturday morning, he said that: Fresh Pond was being
plowed at 7:30, but only about half its normal width.

Alewife Parkway Bridge SidewalkConnection from Minuteman Bikepath to Fresh Pond and beyondDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Chris Porter reports: ... Alewife bridge has been regularly
cleared but is likely to be slippery with a light covering of
snow/ice. West side of Alewife Parkway bridge may have a couple
inches of hard pack or slush depending on temp. These have
been pretty consistent conditions.

These paths aren't plowed because they get relatively little transportation
use and because they are used by cross-country skiers like me. There
are marked narrow bike lanes on Enneking Parkway through the
reservation which are probably clear. The Friends of Stony Brook Reservation
is leading a walk from Enneking Parkway at Smith Field Road at 1:00 pm on
Sunday, January 30.

Former Metropolitan State Hospital
Belmont, Walthampaved bikepaths
Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Not checked yet.

Assabet River Rail Trail
Hudson and Marlborough, so far
Town of Hudson, City of Marlborough
(so far)

Not checked, but probably not plowed.

Northampton BikewayEast-west across the City of NorthamptonCity of Northampton

Craig Della Penna, who lives next to the path, reports that
it is the intention of the DPW to make it passable ASAP after a storm.
If the storm is significant, then they plow it repeatedly --sometimes
10-12 times during the course of the storm to ensure its usability.

Norwottuck Rail TrailNorthampton to AmherstDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of State Parks and Recreation